RailEnquiry

‘Operation Octopus’, a drive launched by the railways in Thiruvananthapuram division to book ticketless travellers, was carried out at Ernakulam junction and town stations on Saturday. The drive began at 6 am and continued till 11.30 am. It was first carried out at Ernakulam town station. Passengers who deboarded trains at the two railway stations were asked to show their tickets. Those who could not re-furbish their tickets were booked. Thiruvananthapuram Divisional Security Commissioner R K Tripathi led the drive which fined 350 ticketless travellers. According to railway officials, they collected up to Rs 1,04,880 as part of the drive. Those found travelling with irregular or expired season tickets were also booked. The drive was intensified as the railways got complaints that the number of ticketless travellers had shot up. Since there is an acute shortage of TTEs, ticket checks on trains have become a difficult process. Railway officials allege that this has given travellers an excuse to commute without tickets. RPF, government railway police and commercial department officials were roped in for the drive. The officials said they were planning to continue the drive in the days to come.